Two Clothing Stores to Open Downtown

The retailers that have applied are Life is Good, which plans to sign a 10-year lease for 1,900 square feet at 100 Peabody Place, and Dress Style Studio, which plans to sign a seven-year lease for 1,800 square feet at 119 S. Main St.

The CCDC meets at 9 a.m. The agency’s staff has recommended loans of $40,000 for each business.

Life is Good, which plans to open in March, designs, prints, embroiders and distributes its own product line, which includes men’s, women’s, children’s and pet accessories, T-shirts, sweatshirts, casual sportswear and accessories.

Its most popular item is a 100 percent cotton, pre-washed T-shirt that sells for $25.

Dress Style Studio, which is looking to open in January, will be owned and managed by Tamara Sorman, who opened Shop Girl New York Downtown in November.

Her store will offer a selection of the latest fashion styles, including professional attire as well as casual and social wear.

– Andy Meek

Retired Criminal Ct. Judge Lockard Dies at 91

Lockard was among the attorneys who served as the bulwark of the Memphis civil rights movement and establishment in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was president of the Memphis branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which was a dominant factor in the shaping of the city’s civil rights movement.

Lockard became an attorney in 1951 and earned his law degree from the Lincoln University School of Law in Missouri.

He had been denied admission to any law school in Tennessee.

By the late 1960s, Lockard was an administrative assistant to then-Tennessee Gov. Buford Ellington. Ellington played a key behind-the-scenes role as an adviser on civil rights issues to President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Binkley joined Boyle in 2007 as director of development in the company’s land development department.

He is accredited as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design professional and has been involved in the execution of projects such as Schilling Farms, Price Farms, Ridgeway Center and Fisherville Farms.

Prior to joining Boyle, Binkley worked in the commercial real estate sales and leasing sector with CB Richard Ellis.

– Sarah Baker

KIPP Memphis Awarded $3M Grant to Expand

KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools has been awarded $3 million from the Charter School Growth Fund Tennessee to go toward its expansion from two to 10 schools by 2016.

KIPP, which stands for Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of college-prep charter schools that have open enrollment.

The KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle School opened in 2002. KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School opened this fall with a ninth-grade class.

The KIPP Memphis organization won approval from the countywide school board in October to open two new charter schools in the 2012-2013 school year as part of the Memphis City Schools system.

– Bill Dries

Wells Fargo Gives $200K to Nature Conservancy

Wells Fargo & Co. is giving The Nature Conservancy $200,000 to help fund the group’s work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for long-term recovery and restoration along the Mississippi River.

Part of the money will help pay for an assessment study that will guide restoration and recovery – such as flood-plain reconnection – for years to come.

With the contribution from Wells Fargo, staffers from the conservancy’s Great Rivers Partnership are working with the corps and other federal agencies to look for ways to improve flood-risk management and environmental conditions along the river.

The conservancy also is working with other nonprofit groups and the corps to fund and conduct the Lower Mississippi River Resource Assessment. A report from that assessment will guide future restoration efforts.

– Andy Meek

Peabody Elem. PTA Leader Lunches at White House

Grisham, the 2011 Tennessee representative for Parenting Magazine’s Mom Congress, attended a reception and private tour of the White House, according to the Friends of Peabody School blog. Her trip was sponsored by an organization called City Leadership.

In January, Grisham will return to Washington to meet with the Education Department and other Mom Congress delegates to discuss ways the government can improve communication with parents in regards to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

– Aisling Maki

Lifeblood Seeks Donors During Holiday Season

Lifeblood is seeking blood donors during the holiday season as its community blood supply nears critical shortage levels.

Between now and Sunday, Dec. 18, Lifeblood will offer a choice of a Malco movie pass or a long-sleeve Lifeblood T-shirt for those who donate at any Lifeblood center or mobile blood drive.

For more information including a complete list of donor centers and hours, call 888-LIFEBLOOD or visit www.lifeblood.org.